Nitin Bal Chauhan talks about his summer collection aimed at making his label Bhootsavar popular. He also plans a solo art show by the year end. He spoke to D Kaushik
last year he did a soft launch for his label Bhootsavar. We didn’t hear much from Nitin Bal Chauhan after that. But tomorrow he shows in Delhi at The Courtyard as part of celebrations by lisaa School of Design.
The two collaborated on other projects. “I think the last show was during lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai.. I will present the summer collection from my label Bhootsavar now. It’s called like a Rolling Stone,” informed the designer.
He chose the Bob Dylan song as the theme of his collection, because it relates to the period out of college, when one is starting life as an individual. “The collection is for youth. It deals with an important part of their lives. There are obstacles and one is forced to work hard and take life seriously.”
Chauhan added, “Once you face the situation positively, everything falls in place. So there is lot of black and white in the early part of the show, representing the tough phase. As the show progresses, music changes. There is high energy. And everything is bright and colourful,” said the designer.
He said that his label Bhootsavar targets the masses, so the silhouettes are simple and ideas will be given during the show on how to mix and match and wear stylishly.
“Gypsy inspired silhouettes and treatment wrapped in Neo-Goth styling form the look of the collection. Techniques like hand painting, structured pleating, ruching and surface embellishments impart a hand crafted element. A blend of fabrics, colours, techniques and silhouettes add nomadic flavours.” Nitin told us there are two reasons why his label is called Bhootsavar: “My collection is inspired from subcultures in the city. Some people are interested in kite-flying, some about horse riding, some about stamp collection and so on. In Hindi, we often say ‘uspe to bhoot sawar hai’ to address a person hell-bent on something or about something. So my label is for crazy, passionate folk.”
Bal is a product designer for long, but if you scan his website, you find a section for films under construction. He revealed he loves making films. In 2005-06 he shot a 60-minute movie called lost and Found. “It was about a photographer’s quest and selected for festivals. I want to films on art and fashion.” He will also put up his solo art show by year end. Some works are displayed at the ongoing United Art Fair.
Nitin is also working with artisans from Chamba, making products for Europe and US markets. “The valley is known for its knitting techniques, but the problem is they are unable to create designs that are globally saleable. Sometimes we make products that artisans find difficult to replicate. The interaction will teach them,” he ended.